A Risk Analysis of Microplastic Consumption in Filter Feeders
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Nova Southeastern University NSUWorks HCNSO Student Capstones HCNSO Student Work 12-6-2019 A Risk Analysis of Microplastic Consumption in Filter Feeders Sheri Rahman Nova Southeastern University, [email protected] This document is a product of extensive research conducted at the Nova Southeastern University . For more information on research and degree programs at the NSU , please click here. Follow this and additional works at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cnso_stucap Part of the Marine Biology Commons, and the Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Commons Share Feedback About This Item NSUWorks Citation Sheri Rahman. 2019. A Risk Analysis of Microplastic Consumption in Filter Feeders. Capstone. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, . (347) https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cnso_stucap/347. This Capstone is brought to you by the HCNSO Student Work at NSUWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in HCNSO Student Capstones by an authorized administrator of NSUWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Capstone of Sheri Rahman Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science M.S. Marine Biology Nova Southeastern University Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography December 2019 Approved: Capstone Committee Major Professor: Dr. Abigail Renegar Committee Member: Dr. Bernhard Riegl This capstone is available at NSUWorks: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cnso_stucap/347 HALMOS COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES AND OCEANOGRAPHY A Risk Analysis of Microplastic Consumption in Filter Feeders By Sheri Rahman Submitted to the faculty of Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science with a specialty in: Marine Science Concentration: Marine Biology Nova Southeastern University 1 December 2019 Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science: Marine Biology Sheri Rahman Nova Southeastern University Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography December 2019 Capstone Committee Approval ______________________________ Dr. Abigail Renegar, Major Professor ______________________________ Dr. Bernhard Riegl, Committee Member 2 Table of Contents Abstract 3 I. Introduction 5 II. Statement of Purpose & Objectives 7 III. Materials and Methods 3.1 Data Acquisition 9 3.2 Data Analysis 13 IV. Results and Review 4.1 Microplastic Abundance 17 4.2 Filtration Rates 21 4.3 Microplastic Consumption Rates 23 4.4 Filter Feeder Characteristics 28 V. Summary and Conclusions 5.1 Overall Risk Assessment 52 5.2 Future Considerations 56 VI. References 57 3 Abstract Microplastics (plastic particles < 5 mm) pose a serious threat to marine organisms, as researchers have documented such particles in the gut contents of numerous species. In particular, filter feeders are at risk of consuming microplastics because they may accidentally consume the particulates when feeding or they may prey on species that have already consumed them. The goals of this research were to evaluate the risks that different filter feeders face in regards to microplastic consumption through the analysis of the calculated Microplastic Consumption Rates for numerous species of filter feeders. Factors that could potentially affect this risk were also considered, including ocean basin, environment type, salinity, life stage, IUCN status, and filtration technique. Initial analysis showed that body size greatly impacted a species’ risk of microplastic consumption and further tests were completed to evaluate overall microplastic contamination for each species. Microplastic consumption and microplastic contamination values were evaluated and analyzed to determine which filter feeding species were most at risk of experiencing ecological effects from microplastic pollution. From a resource management perspective, this research highlights the filter feeding species most at risk, contributing to the development of more effective plastic waste management policies. Keywords: microplastics, plastics, filtration, microplastic consumption, microplastic contamination, filter feeding species 4 I. Introduction More than nine million tons of plastic fibers are produced every year, and microplastics (plastics < 5 mm) are now found in aquatic environments around the globe (Barrows et al. 2018). Plastics were first produced in the 1950s and became popular very quickly due to their durability and low production costs (Lusher et al. 2017). Although they offer many benefits to the average consumer, including lower prices and convenience, plastic materials have become a danger to the environment. When improperly managed, plastic waste is often allowed to reach freshwater and marine environments. There, the material is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, causing it to degrade slowly (Lusher et al. 2017). This leads to the breakdown of the material and formation of small, microplastic particles, which have become such a prevalent problem today that they are now considered one of the greatest threats to the health of ecosystems and biodiversity on land and in marine and freshwater regions (Barrows et al. 2018, Lusher et al. 2017). Microplastics can generally be categorized as either primary or secondary. Primary microplastics are fibers and beads manufactured to a small size, which are often used in the cosmetic industry. These particles might be used in soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, shaving cream, makeup, bubble bath, and other cosmetic products around the world (Leslie 2014). When consumers rinse off the product and wash it down the drain, these plastics find their way into wastewater. And while effective management facilities will retain a small portion of these microplastics, the rest flow into freshwater or marine environments (Leslie 2014). Secondary microplastics, on the other hand, are produced from the degradation of larger items (Lusher et al. 2017), such as plastic bottles, bags, and other forms of waste. This degradation occurs as a result of exposure to saltwater and ultraviolet sunlight (Lusher et al. 2017). Plastics are known to include a variety of toxins, as they are often comprised of toxic chemicals and various additives that can have adverse effects on the health of marine organisms (Gallo et al. 2018). A variety of chemicals, such as monomers, plasticizers, and flame-retardants, are added to plastics during production (Lusher et al. 2017). The material can also adsorb contaminants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBS), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and persistent bioaccumulative toxic substances (PBTs) from the 5 surrounding environment. Contaminants accumulate through predator-prey relationships and trophic transfers, potentially leading to adverse health effects, such as increased immune responses, decreased growth, and decreased fecundity (Gallo et al. 2018, Lusher et al. 2017). Due to their popularity, long lifespan, process of degradation, and potential for toxicity, microplastics have become ubiquitous and a persistent pollutant. As such, it is increasingly important to understand their distribution and concentration around the globe (Barrows et al. 2018). In recent years, new research has expanded knowledge in this area, with much of the work being completed by citizen science initiatives (Barrows et al. 2018). A great example is the Global and Gallatin Microplastics Initiative, which launched a massive project that called for environmentally minded citizens who spend time on the water to take water samples and send it to their facilities for processing. The response was enormous, with samples collected from around the globe, encompassing marine and freshwater environments; this initiative has produced a large microplastic concentration dataset that can be used to bridge knowledge gaps (Global & Gallatin Microplastic Initiatives 2018). It is widely known that many species, including filter feeders, consume microplastics as previous studies have found such particles in the stomachs and guts of various organisms (Cole et al. 2013, Taylor et al. 2016, Wieczorek et al. 2018). Even some of the smallest species, like copepods, bivalve larvae, and decapod larvae, ingest microplastics although the ability to uptake these particles may depend on size (Cole et al. 2013). Species that are larger in size or at higher trophic levels have also been documented interacting with microplastic pollution, whether directly or indirectly (Lusher et al. 2017). Although the direct ingestion of plastic particulates is more commonly studied, trophic transfer might also occur when an organism ingests a prey species that has already consumed the microplastics (Cole et al. 2013, Moore et al. 2001). Evidence even suggests that organisms in the deep sea have been exposed, as they frequently ingest microplastic fibers (Taylor et al. 2016) Like most other marine species, filter feeding organisms ranging in size and complexity from sponges and jellyfish to whale sharks are also known to consume microplastics either directly if mistaken for food or indirectly as a result of prey consumption of plastic particles or fibers (Cole et al. 2013, Moore et al. 2001). Because filter feeders must filter small food items from the water, such as zooplankton and phytoplankton, they cannot 6 always be selective and avoid the consumption of other particulates that may also be present (Cole et al. 2013). Some organisms have developed adaptations prevent the consumption of unwanted materials, such as the mesh size of gill